beth

Did not want to bump up the previous thread considering it had become a war of words.


A while back, I wrote a letter to my family declaring my atheism because I wanted it out in the open. I am an honest person and was open about my Christian faith in the past and I desire to be open about my turn from religion now. I was telling a family member about the letter.( I didn't send it to him because he already knew I was an atheist. )

Immediately, he chalked this up to my medication and declared that I was not in my right mind. He then warned me not to be open about being an atheist. He also made jokes about the atheist boards I visit. I was not offended because we are always very open, but considering he is an agnostic, it shocked me. He also stated that I declared my atheism with my family to piss everyone off.

Now, this is the reaction from an agnostic; the reaction from the fundamentalist Christian is even more volitile. It seems that my atheism is considered as an attack or a rebellion against the mainstream, as was discussed in a previous thread. It not only appears to be an attack agaist the religious, but it also appears to be an attack against the mainstream non-religious. Why is this? I know that Bush senior once made a comment that atheists should not be considered citizens. Considerring the fact that many of the self-proclaimed Christians are Christians in name only and really consider the Bible to be rubbish, why was this allowed to be said without a greater backlash?

What is it about freethought that is considered to be so abnormal? Why is declaring that there is no god worse than thinking it? Many people think there is no god or wonder about it's existence, but declaring it allowed is taboo. I'd like to discuss the stigmas of atheism in today's society. What can be done to make atheism less of a threat?

Rhea

Because the bible tells them to think that way.

The bible tells them to HATE and FEAR.

And they do it, just as they are told.

beth

True, for some of the Christians, but what about those who do not believe in the Bible, or don't believe it is infallable?

Hubble head

Make knowledge, reason and truth the highest standard of your society. They (media & governments) have the power to do it, they just refuse to do so because it would end their hold on power and force all those lazy-ass clerics to find real jobs.

Ronin

Religious faith is to the human what sand is to the ostrich.

Godless Dave

I think they are less likely to consider atheism a direct attack, although many are still uncomfortable with it. There was a poster here last fall who had gone from liberal Christianity to atheism. Her mother, a minister, was very upset.

Godless Dave

Nice work as usual, Ronin.

beth

True, but it is an attack of their comfort zone. Has society as a whole been so conditioned to revile Atheism? Granted, in the scientific communities and more secular fields this may not be true.

Also, is it harder for society to accept a traditional woman as an atheist? Especially one who was raised to marry and the family's biggest goal was for her to model or act? Maybe those who do not fit into the traditional mold don't face this type of hostility as much...

mike_decock

I think it has to do with the way Christians have demonized atheists. They are more despicable than the victims of cults and false religions who are seen as "deceived". Atheists are stereotyped as immoral, foxhole-avoiding, non-patriotic God-haters.

Being an atheist is as offensive to a Christian as being in the KKK is to a black person or being a Nazi is to a Jew.

-Mike...

DMB

It is a peculiarity of American society. Despite all the cultural ties, Europe is different. Tony Blair is in fact running into a certain amount of flak because of his religiosity.